First Everyotherrun - 15 April 2009

Stritchy · First Everyotherrun - 15 April 2009

The first Wednesday evening run leaves the 10 O'Clock at 7.30pm.
Destination is Stibbington Diner, so come hungry Laughing

Everyone welcome.

Hope to see lots of you

Skipper

WooHoo.

Shellshine

Enjoy! Hope the weather holds and all have a safe uneventful ride out. Smile

Penfold

We can't make it due to prior engagement.

wotan

I'll rush back from Nottingham to be there

Mickey 2 Hornets

I will be there tonight, along with 'arry who is 10 years old today. Does not seem 10 years ago since I collected him from Sliders (as it was then) in Brackley. Doesn't time fly when you are enjoying yourself! Happy Birthday 'arry.

THE CAT

Well that was a fantastic night. Really enjoyable and so good to see so many people.
Thanks to everyone who turned up for an excellent ride. Very Happy

Stritchy

Write-up here http://www.northants.hoc.org.uk/2009rides.html#15APR

Penfold

Has anyone lost anything from their bike on the ride home from Stibbington? Shocked

I was travelling back from a funeral on the east coast. On the run in to Corby, Kev, Phil and a couple of others past me.
One of the cars we were travelling with said a top box came off one of the bikes that past them and bounced on by. The rider seemed unaware Shocked

I only found out this morning, had a look on the stretch of road but couldn't see anything.
Gay Brian didn't go on the run did he ? Wink

Vampira

We still got our top box. Very Happy

No GB wasn't on the run

Penfold

Just thought i'd ask Rolling Eyes

Phil Barberton

in my efforts of trying to keep up with kev on the way home we overtook everthing on 4 wheels or more...I never thought to check if the back end of the wing was there when I got home....Will have a look tonight.... GOOD FUN THOUGH....certainly a little quicker going home..... Razz

DEREK [FIZZ] · Great ride out

Just wanted to say what a great ride out on weds,
my mate Chris,& my brother Dave both said how good
it was,i,m sure they will be back again.

Cheers
Derek [Fizz]

Shellshine

It was Barry's top box and he got it back... Very Happy

Vampira

Skipper

Talking of radios, I did notice, especially when leaving Stibbington, there were some folk on constant transmit.

Apart from being annoying, it's also anti-social because it stops other people from using their own radios.

Can I ask that you all test your installations before the next run and, if you are using vox, either adjust it properly, or, preferably, replace it with a proper PTT.

There you go. Grump over. Very Happy

Penfold

Vampira

Us and Dave also had the annoying open channel thingy on leaving Stibbington. Even worse was when the offending bike/bikes went slightly out of range as then we had that awful screeching noise.
As you know we have the proper PTT.

As for etiquette Penfold. The radios should be used for guidance or emergencies. If the group is large as was Wednesdays run then Run Leader can portray the direction he has taken at junctions/roundabouts etc just so others know. Warn of obstacles such as horses/pushbikes/dog walkers. If a bike should go down the radio is used to inform the other riders.
The radio IS NOT for idle chit chat about ages/who had what for dinner etc. That can be done before/after the run between those who are interested NOT during a run where everyone with a radio can hear.

Phil Barberton

I thing I will stick to my MP3 Payer and listen to MUSIC..Get into less trouble that way !!! Very Happy

Barry B

Radio etiquette? Doesn't say anything about that in the instruction book. All it says is: "...push the red button to talk..."

Plum

Im glad to be the only person left, who has'nt got a radio Rolling Eyes

Barry B

On a serious note, might I remind those people so far up their own backsides that they think they can dictate how these radios are used, that they are on an open PUBLIC frequency and can be used by anyone, for anything and at anytime.

The dead carrier that you refer to Sue, might have been coming from a biker but it might also have semone else in the area. Radios using this frequency can be purchased as walkie-talkies.

Please remember, these radios are NOT for the exclusive use of any particular group, for any particular purpose. That's why there is no licence. If you want personal communication, then you can either purchase licensed radios or you can use use your mobile phone!

Alan D

If someone else has paid for my radio they can dictate how I use it, otherwise, it's my radio, that I paid for and I'll use it how I damn well please

The EOR's are supposed to be fun, if I have a bit of banter with a friend thats part of the fun. It's not like we were talking for the whole ride and closing the channel to anyone else

Alan D

Skipper wrote :
Can I ask that you all test your installations before the next run

It sounded to me like someone with a pro-PTT switch, I had one originally and it was way to easy to knock it accidentally to the locked-on position

That was why I changed my switch to a non-locking one

Had people talking, bikes starting up & even an alarm going off for a good couple of miles after I left the cafe then the screeching for about another 1/2 mile on the edge of the transmit area Sad

Vampira

If you want to have a banter with a friend then fine but switch to a different frequency than the rest of us. We are not interested in how old other people are etc . For all you know someone could well have been trying to warn others of a danger further up the road and found the channel blocked.
We have always used the radio system in the correct manner for a ride out....serious. The simple answer is if people don't like how things are conducted then don't participate in the ride outs. Stay in the pub and chatter all evening.

Barry B

Which bit of my last post about these radios being on public frequencies don't you quite understand? There is no "correct" way to use these radios!!!!!!! If you want dedicated radios DO NOT use these.

I have no intention of switching to a different chanel just appease other people. As Alan pointed out, they are our radios, we paid for them and I, for one, will use it the way I want to.

Skipper

Of course these radios are public frequencies, but the PMR standard allows for a degree of exclusivity and privacy by including a provision for the use of CTCSS activation tones. That allows any group to use a frequency without having others on that same frequency from being heard. Of course that only works for more distant, intermittent transmissions and is useless for people riding in the same group when the offender is always present with a strong signal.

The club started using radios partly to help keeping the group together and avoid anybody getting lost, and partly for the safety aspect in the event of an upcoming hazard, or someone having an accident. Those factors are still important.

Rules is a strong word, I prefer guidance, because nobody has an objection to, say, their attention being drawn to a smart piece of totty. It's constant chatter and blocking of the channel that may cause a problem. I don't need you to appease me because at the end of the day it doesn't matter whether you change channel, or whether the people running the event change, the result is the same.

What does matter though is that the club will run their events exactly how they feel is best and, if you don't like it, then just do what I do in those cases, and don't participate.

Vampira

Ditto Skipper

Shellshine

Stritchy

Personally, I quite enjoyed listening to the banter on the ride.

I did at 1 point, as the run leader, point out a hazard (mother & child on pushbikes) coming up. I have no idea whether everyone, or anyone, heard the warning. This is where constant chat is a hazard.
Moderation is the watchword on large ride-outs, so that the radio can be used as an aid to a successful run.

I must ask that everyone takes a deep breath and counts to ten on this subject please.
This is the second thread where the language has become/appeared confrontational... and it is not acceptable. If it continues I will, as administrator, take steps.

The HOC is supposed to be fun.

Skipper

Alan D

Alan D

Whitey

THE CAT

Charlie Drake

I like the colour
Didn't know I could do that
Charles

Shellshine

2 strokes

Barry B

Let's get one or two things straight here. I have had a radio for some time now and I've been on several runs in the past and not used the radio once. I have listened to continuous banter (most of it pointless drivel) but not joined in once. Last wed, Alan and myself did have a few words on the radio but it was hardly continuous and on most occasions it was for safety reasons. So can someone please tell me why I have suddenly become the subject of vilification?

I do not feel the need to justify myself to anyone regardless of whether or not they are on the committee. So sorry guys, I don't wish to appear arrogant but my position remains unchanged: if I want to use my radio I WILL!

Vampira

Barry B

As I have already pointed out, these radios operate on a PUBLIC and OPEN frequency and therefore anyone with one of these fitted is likely (as I have) to pick up all sorts of sprious transmmissions. Therefore, I would respectfully suggest that if a rider is distracted by this, they really shouldn't have one fitted.

Barry B

Stritchy

I have just read the write up on the ride out. PLEASE edit it and remove the remark about me. I do not appreciate it.

Thanks

Barry

Skipper

Barry B

John

if you are going to respond to my comments, please read the thread again and do not take what I say out of context.

Skipper

Out of context? Sorry, don't understand.

All I did was to respond to your points one by one.

What have I misunderstood then?

Barry B

You appear to have overlooked the following:

1) The villification I refer to which came my way before I posted anything on here.

2) My attitude (and also Allan's) about using radios came AFTER several comments about how we were using them.

3) My posting about the number of occasions that I have been on rides in the past and not used my radio once.

4) My comment about radios being a distraction was in response to Sue's posting.

To be honest, I find it impossible to believe that a few words passed between friends on a ride out can turn into such an exchange of bitchy postings on here.

It's not exactly a good avert for the branch is it? However, it might serve as a warning!

Skipper

Well, it's a bit difficult reading the thread back after so many edits but, all I did was to ask that people check their installations so that they weren't transmitting inadvertently. April 18th 2.57pm.

Then Sue responded to a query from Penfold outlining how the club chooses to use the radio system on their runs. April 19th 1.14am.

Reasonable enough so far?

What your reply was on April 19th at 8.04pm nobody reading this thread will ever know, because you have edited it but, two hours later, you wrote...

Barry B

My comment about people being so far up their backside was not directed at anyone in particular. However, over the past year or so, I have watched with disgust as members are bullied on this forum by people who should know better. Unfortunately, I am not someone who will take it lying down and if anyone wants to have a go at me, they should be prepared to expect me to retaliate. As for not making friends, you might be surprised to learn that many members feel the same way I do.

I'm actually vice-chair [elected] of a local photographic society and I cannot imagine a situation where our committee members would post the sort of things on our message board that I have seen on here and not just about me.

Stritchy

Skipper

Well, I'm actually treasurer [elected] of the local branch of the HOC, although I don't particularly want to do it, and only find myself in this position because nobody else at the time would take it on. That technically makes me a member of the committee, although I don't get consulted about much.

If, as you say, many members feel the same way as yourself, then maybe it's me that's out of step. That wouldn't come as a big surprise, but I can't say that I remember a queue of members eager to take over the running of the club at the recent agm. However, if a majority think I should be replaced, I would be delighted to let someone else take over. I would be the first to agree that a younger, more enthusiastic and less cynical person than myself could well turn out to be a good thing for the club.

Since you brought up qualifications (photography) my own thing is radios. I have been using them for thirty years, everything from CB (legal and illegal) through amateur radio (still a Class A licence holder), PMR, private systems, to military gear. Despite all that I will happily admit that I don't know everything, but think you could agree that I might be a bit more experienced than someone who pulls an AR80 out of the box for the first time.

Finally, and what I consider much more serious, is your contention that members are bullied on this forum. I can't say that I had noticed, although I don't read all the threads. If you could draw my attention to a couple of examples (pm them if you'd prefer) and, although my influence is limited, I will certainly discuss it with Stritch. Or you could talk to him yourself.

I wonder though, if you are mixing up bullying and pisstaking. Since long before I joined the club it has been a requirement that members are prepared to have the pee taken, sometimes unmercifully, and I have, on occasion, been on the receiving end of that myself. I see that Stritch has beaten me to it with a response to your request to have the crack about yourself on the run report removed, but I considered it to be in that category, and never gave it a second thought.

Anyway, like I say, let me have the evidence and, if I agree with you, do what is in my limited powers to rectify it. If I don't agree with you I'll at least give you my reasons why that is so.

THE CAT

Stritchy

I completely back Skipper's comments.

Unfortunately there are limitations to the written word that don't allow one to see when the piss is being taken.

If anyone would like to take over any of the committee posts within the Branch, they only have to say. No offence will be taken and the encumbent can decide whether they want to contest it.

If there is anyone who is unhappy about the Branch, for any reason, they need to let Sue, Skipper or myself know (whether face-to-face, PM, e-mail or phone) and appropriate steps can be taken. I'm the sort that stumbles blithely through life, happily ignoring plots, conspiracies and feuds, so it's no surprise that I have not noticed anything.

The aim of the HOC is to make friends and enjoy riding our bikes, anything that stops that goes against the spirit of the club and must be stopped.

Penfold

cbrstu

Myself and Sharon were unfortunately committed and unable to go on the last rideout. I wish to say we have made very many new friends in the HOC and we have been always made welcome .
I have had my fair share of mickey taking from breaking down in France to throwing my CBR down the road .

When I go to the meetings I have friendly banter about being a Police Officer . I have never got offended just taken it in my stride .

I admire our club committee members for volunteering their own time and effort to make the HOC what it is today . This also goes for all the national committee members as well. Very often in Society if it was not for a hardcore of individual committee members an organisation would fail. Of course we must not forget the HOC members whose subscriptions support the club.

As motorcyclists we must stand united . We are continually looked upon by the anti-motorcycle lobby as demons of society .

So everyone lets be friends and ride our two wheels together

Stuart

Whitey

Stuarts right!.....

GROUP HUG!!.....KISS IT BETTER!!...
Very Happy

Alan D

Skipper

Quite a list Penfold, and I don't really know where to start. Maybe you have legitimate grievances, I don't know, but have you considered the other side of the coin?

It's not a gung-ho attitude but usually the fact that it is impossible to please everybody and decisions have to be made. The rule is that whoever organises the event makes the rules. Now their choices may not suit you, and that's sad, but the same is true for everybody else, including me. There are many events the club organises that hold no attraction for me personally (curry night is a prime example and camping weekend is another) but I don't whinge about it. If that's what others want to do then fair enough; let them carry on, I just won't attend. I'll go and do something else instead. It's not a problem, it's my own choice.

I joined the HOC too, but don't expect every event pander to my wishes, and am happy to go off and do my own thing sometimes so, fair enough, go off with the lame ducks if you want, that's your prerogative too, but have you considered organising a Sunday run for the whole club? I know you can do it because the one you did out Kidderminster way was a good day out. Then it's your run, and you can organise it any way you like. That will earn you more respect than just criticising everybody else's efforts.

I can't speak for last year's branch holiday because I wasn't there, but I helped organise the four previous ones. In the beginning it was fun but, as the numbers got larger with every passing year, the shine wore off. I'm not picking on any individual here, so nobody take offence, but give some thought to yourself not being able to sit down for more than ten minutes without somebody coming along wanting to know how to do this, or how to ask for that, where we're going to eat tonight, and where the run is going tomorrow. I'll be the first to admit that, on occasion, I could have got a bit short tempered, but hope that you might understand why.

It ain't all sweetness and light up at the front because, as just one example, many times I wasn't able to eat in a restaurant of my choice and had to settle for second or third best because that was the only place that could seat eighteen people.

Sometimes it felt like being Mother Goose, having to keep constant watch and herd all the chicks to where they wanted to go. We're not professional tour guides, we don't get paid (nor do we want to be) for our efforts, and it's just an attempt to put something back into the club. Don't forget that it's our holiday too and we are as entitled as the followers to enjoy it. Do you begrudge us that? Is it unreasonable for people to "fend for themselves" and sort out their own eating arrangements from time to time? Am I not allowed to leave members to "fend for themselves" by riding up a dead straight motorway from Dieppe to Calais so that, after leading the group for over a week, I can go and have a bit of fun blatting up the road in the rain?

After all that waffle I think my conclusion is that the club is what it is and that you or I will attend the events we want, and ignore the others. If we want change, then we need to get off our arses and do somethyng about it.

Barry B

John

You asked me to name names with regard to bullying. Well, I'm not going to play detective for you; just have a look at some of the threads on here and see what comments are being made by whom and to who they are being made. Please also remember, that bullying isn't always overt. Very often, it 's subtle and snide. As Penfold points out, many of us (like me) are prepared to stand up to people (and yes I will do it face to face) who pass snide, offensive comments but there are many who (for a variety of reasons) will not.

You are, of course, right some comments are made in jest but there is a fine line between taking the piss and being offensive and some people in this club cross that line deliberately to cause offence and personal injury to others.

Penfold is also correct when he suggests that there is an attitude of "that's the way we do it, if you don't like it piss off" and it's an attitude I find hard to accept. I have seen many, many suggestions on this forum for events that have simply been put down by certain people and as a result they don't happen.

I have heard so many bad comments about this branch and the attitude of certain people and I know for a fact, that many are now looking elsewhere for a club that will offer them what they want. Ask yourself why they are doing so.

As I said, I am not going to play detective for you but neither am I prepared to take on the role of advocate. I just hope that those people who agree with me (and the others who have posted) will now stand up for themselves and tell you how they feel.

Regards

Barry

wotan

[quote] So I guess Wotan will be removing the intercom then so you can't distract him

I am not going to get mixed up in what is going on in this thread, but with reference to the above quote, at this time, I will take it as just friendly banter. So as to let you know, I will not be removing my intercom for you or anybody, as the distraction to me is not where you imply, but is most certainly elsewhere.Also, although a man of few words, when push comes to shove, I will also stand up and defend what is mine Rolling Eyes

Stritchy

Stritchy

Again, I endorse Skipper's comments. Thank you Stu for your message - I hope that yours is the voice of the 'silent' majority.

The Branch tries to be all things to all people - something that is very difficult (if not impossible) to achieve. But that does not stop us from trying to make it the best that we can offer.

If people have been offended by comments, then I apologise, it is no-one's intention to cause upset and alienation. We all need to sit back and consider our comments carefully before speaking - and I exclude no-one from this, including myself.
Having said that, I wont be walking on eggshells. I hope that everyone who comes to the Branch is an adult - to err is human etc.

I organise events that appeal to me. I have consistently asked that other people do the same. The result is easy to see in the Branch diary.

THE CAT

Skipper

Righto Barry. So what do you do when you see a car accident? Call the emergency services and tell them about the incident, but that they're going to have to go out and find it themselves? Very Happy

[joke alert!]

Seriously, I'm not going to go looking for trouble. Firstly most of these things usually sort themselves out, secondly our members are adults and don't need me to hold their hands, and thirdly because being a social worker is not why I joined the HOC.

Now, on the other hand, if a member comes to me with a specific problem, then I will do my best to help. Firstly I have to decide whether the problem is genuine. Is the complaint justified, or is it someone being overly sensitive? Is it just a misunderstanding, or something more serious? The trap here is that nothing is black and white and the opportunities for me to get it wrong are very great

Even once that's settled what can I do? I have no powers to force people to come to an understanding. I have no foolproof solutions to offer - all I can do is to mediate and hope. You must also understand that sometimes there is just a personality clash, and no solution is possible. However much we might wish things differently, all any of us can do in those circumstances is to sit back and watch the wreck.

As for events, I'm sorry, but I'm still struggling to see the problem. I'm sure that I wouldn't have let a curry night go by without at least one extremely disparaging and impolite remark and, if you want to really see me on a roll, come along tonight and ask me about camping weekends. That didn't stop either event from going ahead - and nor should it.

The way runs should work, in my opinion, is like the Waddington Air Show one. Stritchy posted up that he is going and that anyone who wants is welcome to join him. Now, he is organising it and therefore he will call the shots. MUFO will be at the time he dictates and the run will go via the route he decides. It doesn't matter what anyone else says - it will happen that way. So, if that is attractive to me I will go along and be made welcome, if I don't fancy it, I won't go. Now, organising a run like that is open to any member, so what could be fairer than that?

On the other hand, what can get my back up, is those members who are never prepared to put anything into the club themselves, but expect a continuous stream of events to be provided for their benefit, and then complain about them. Sorry, but those folks aren't going to get much sympathy from me.

Skipper

Alan,

As Stritchy said, there are no laid down club rules regarding radio useage. And in my opinion, nor should there be.

As an example, what would be fine for, say, four close friends riding where they can all see each other, might become a problem on a run with twenty bikes, some who have never ridden in a group that size before, spread out over three or four miles.

My thoughts are that I should use my radio like I try to lead the rest of my life. That is tempering my own wishes and requirements so as not to impinge on the pleasure and enjoyment of others.

Alan D

@Wotan : Both comments were in jest, hence the smilies.

@Stritchy & Skipper Re Club rules on Radio
Thank you, as I suspected, and so I'll have a private word tonight with the person or persons that have caused me an issue and hence resolve something (at least for me personally)

See you all later

THE CAT

wotan

Alan,
Obviously I would not have taken your comments in any other way MATE. Smile

Penfold

THE CAT

Penfold

Skipper

Penfold

Only just noticed this topic has attracted 1038 views Shocked

Is Vampira on holiday this week? Not seen her on here since Monday. Wink

Vampira

No not on holiday just can't be bothered to waste time on this topic again, got far more important and interesting things to do

Barry B

Have to confess, I thought that Sue had been very quiet!

Skipper

Vampira

What is the point of arguing when everyone thinks they are right. I have a life.

brosbloke · Message received loud and clear.........

Shellshine

Hi Keith - did you still want some books mate? Drop me a line and we'll sort something out - you're only down the road... my number is 07759 805181

Barry B

Well I now have a new top box and it has plenty of room for a huge radio.

Penfold

wotan

HUGE radio,Hmmmmm, could be very painful.

First Everyotherrun - 15 April 2009

Great ride out

Message received loud and clear.........